Rep. Davids Releases Report on Insulin Prices in Kansas Third, Emphasizes Need to Lower Prescription Drug Costs

Press Release

Rep. Sharice Davids today released a report highlighting the high prices of diabetes medication like insulin for seniors and the uninsured populations in Kansas' Third Congressional district.

The report found that Kansas Third residents are paying drastically higher prices than they would in other countries, placing a significant economic burden on both taxpayers and patients.

"This report confirms what many Kansas families know all too well: insulin prices in our country are soaring and drug companies are continuing to profit while families and communities suffer," said Davids. "We've seen folks forced to take drastic measures, like rationing their insulin, due to the sky-high price of this medication. Some have even tragically died while doing so. We need to pass legislation now to increase transparency in drug pricing, stop drug companies from gaming the system and unfairly raising prices, and allow Medicare to negotiate for lower drug prices."

The report found that:

There are 17,000 seniors and disabled Medicare beneficiaries who have been diagnosed with diabetes in KS-03.
The 50 most popular brand-name diabetes medications used by these beneficiaries are 4.8 times the cost in Australia, 3.4 times the cost in the United Kingdom, and 2.7 times the cost in Canada.
There are 66,000 uninsured residents in the district.
Uninsured diabetes patients in the district who purchase Novolog Flexpen--a popular brand of insulin--pay on average 21 times more than they would in Australia, 14 times more than they would in the United Kingdom, and 12 times more than they would in Canada.
Medicare beneficiaries pay significantly more for their drugs than patients abroad because Medicare lacks the authority to negotiate directly with drug manufacturer.
Patients who are uninsured or underinsured and must pay for their drugs out of pocket bear an even greater cost burden.

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